RESUMEN

El cemento es un material inorgnico finamente pulverizado, que, al agregarle

agua, ya sea solo o mezclado con arena, grava, asbesto u otros materiales
similares, tiene la propiedad de fraguar y endurecer, incluso bajo el agua, en
virtud de reacciones qumicas durante la hidratacin y que, una vez endurecido,
conserva su resistencia y estabilidad.

Existen diferentes tipos de cemento los cuales varan segn su composicin,

caractersticas y aplicaciones. As, existen cementos para un amplio rango de
necesidades de construccin. En la produccin industrial del cemento se
observan procesos que van desde la extraccin de la piedra caliza, pasando por
el transporte de materias primas, trituracin, pre-homogenizacin,
almacenamiento y molienda de la materia prima, homogenizacin de la harina
cruda, calcinacin y molienda hasta su envase y embarque.

El cemento es un material bsico para la construccin de edificios y obras civiles.

La produccin de la industria cementera est directamente relacionada con el
sector de la construccin en general y, por lo tanto, es un buen indicador de la
situacin econmica global. En 1995, la produccin de cemento en la UNION
EUROPEA alcanzo la cifra de 172 millones de toneladas, que equivale al 12%
de la produccin mundial.
 ABSTRACT

Cement is a finely powdered inorganic material, which, when added to water,

either alone or mixed with sand, gravel, asbestos or other similar materials, has
the property of setting and hardening, even under water, by virtue of chemical
reactions during hydration and that, once hardened, retains its strength and
stability.

There are different types of cement which vary according to their composition,
characteristics and applications. Thus, there are cements for a wide range of
construction needs. In the industrial production of cement processes are
observed that go from the extraction of the limestone, happening through the
transport of raw materials, trituracin, pre-homogenizacin, storage and grinding
of the prime matter, homogenizacin of the raw flour, calcining and grinding until
its packaging and boarding.

Cement is a basic material for the construction of buildings and civil works. The
production of the cement industry is directly related to the construction sector in
general and, therefore, is a good indicator of the global economic situation. In
1995, cement production in the EUROPEAN UNION reached 172 million tons,
equivalent to 12% of world production.